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As I climbed the mountain, it wasn't long before I entered the snowbound area, where a thick layer of snow covered the ground. If I walked directly across it, they would track me easily. So, I moved near the rocks, using them as footholds, and carefully made my way toward the top, searching for a place to hide.
But this place wasn't safe either. I soon encountered a snow wolf. They were massive—far bigger than a polar bear. The pack consisted of five wolves, with the Alpha standing in the middle. She raised her nose high, catching my scent, and slowly moved toward me.
She stopped just beside me, lowered her head, and, before I could react, lifted me with her jaws. Fear paralyzed me. The sheer pressure of the pack's presence alone was enough to render me motionless.
The Alpha held me gently between her jaws and bounded toward the summit of the mountain. By the time we reached the top, it was nearly midnight.
At the peak, a colossal figure sat atop a boulder. At first, I thought it was a tree—but no. It was an enormous eagle, its silver feathers glistening under the moonlight. It remained completely still, gazing southward without a hint of movement.
Then, a voice echoed in my mind.
"So, how's your life here?"
What the hell!?
"Oh, swearing as soon as we meet? What a gentleman," a female voice teased inside my head.
'Was that you?'
'Yeah, it was me. Dennis, why do you keep fighting against fate?'
'What fate?'
'Deep inside, you know it's pointless to run away. You have no destination. Just like a fallen leaf, drifting wherever the wind blows.'
'Then what am I supposed to do? I have no purpose here.'
'Did you have a purpose in your world?'
'Living a normal life. Getting married, having kids, growing old!'
'You can do all of that here too.'
'Oh, and I hate it here. No internet, no family, no entertainment.'
'You humans never think beyond your desires. Yet, you consider yourselves more intelligent than a worm.'
'Just send me back if you can. And if you can't, then leave me alone. Let me go my own way.'
"And what if I told you that I can send you back? What would you do then?"
I dropped to my knees.
"I'll do whatever it takes. Please."
"Is it a girl? Or a woman?"
"Neither."
"I don't think so." She sighed. "Then help my children with the upcoming trial. If you and they survive, I'll send you back."
"Deal."
I jumped up from the ground—grr, my knees hurt. She turned to the Alpha wolf before locking eyes with me.
'Before you go, remember—there are no coincidences in this world. And though they used force to bring you here, don't resent them too much… they carry your blood.'
Her words lingered in my mind as the wolf placed me on her back and leaped toward the village. Within a few bounds, the Alpha left me near the eastern entrance.
A crowd had gathered, their faces frozen in shock as they watched the enormous white wolf deliver the very person they had been searching for just moments ago.
Honestly, I was a little embarrassed—it hadn't been that long since I escaped.
The chief stepped forward, with Meliss standing behind her.
"I xxxxgxx you're xxxxx xxxxx us."
"I thought you were trying to escape."
"Ix xxxx xxx xxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx."
The chief sighed. "I'm sorry about the way you've been treated. If you're unsatisfied with anything, let me know, and I'll do my best to fix it."
I answered firmly. "It's not the hut, the guards, or even the food that bothers me. What I can't stand is being kept in the dark. How can I help you and your tribe without knowing anything? I deserve to know what's going on here."
"Yxx xxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx."
"I promise this won't happen again. But let's leave it at that for tonight. We'll talk tomorrow, with fresh energy."
I nodded—after all that running and climbing, I was exhausted.
Quietly, we entered the village. The guards escorted me back to my hut, where Shaki and Alni stood by the door. They looked… dejected. Maybe even ashamed. I couldn't really blame them—I had secretly drugged them, after all.
Still, I asked the chief to let them off the hook this time. After spending a week with them, I had grown somewhat familiar with them. After clearing up misunderstandings and exchanging quick apologies, I collapsed onto the bed.
For some reason, the sisters slept even closer to me than before.
TBC.
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